I have a few autoimmune diseases, such as Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative colitis, possibly Lupus, and…read moredefinitely Interstitial Cystitis, coupled with skin allergies, respiratory allergies, and other autoimmune-related problems.
At 56, I have been through my share of rheumatologists. Unfortunately, there is no cure or remedy that will rid me of any of these issues. Dr. Gregory Borstad does his best to help me manage my symptoms, including extreme sensitivity to touch/pressure in certain areas (lower, inner calves, soles of feet, outer, upper thighs), muscle pain, exhaustion and fatigue, arthritis, depression (related to not feeling well), & headaches, along with GI problems. Dr. Borstad really wants to help, but he doesn't have a magic wand, just like none of the others do. But I do like him a lot because he listens and cares. He will often be open to prescribing medications that I ask for, such as biologics, but he will not provide pain management. (I have to get my hydrocodone elsewhere. I am only on one 10 mg tablet per day, cut into thirds or quarters, but he will not prescribe it.)
Nonetheless, doctor hopping has become a total drag for me, because my illnesses are what they are. So I will stick with Carolina Arthritis Associates. They bill my BCBS insurance at a MUCH, MUCH more reasonable rate than Wilmington Health's rheumatologist, Heather Favorito, so my co-pay is not such a huge financial burden as it was with her--even though I did like her a lot.
Also, Dr. Borstad's assistant, Farah, is very efficient and gets back to me in a timely manner. The nurse assistant whose place Farah took was just as lovely and efficient. It just sucks that I cannot live my life normally. I wish there were more answers.